A Roller Coaster in the Sky – Biplane Fun

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When it comes to adventure, rolling, spinning, flipping, and diving at 4,000 feet off the ground is hard to beat. Add an open-air cockpit and a beautifully restored 1943 WWII Stearman biplane and you have a day you’ll never forget. Biplane Fun took me on a roller coaster in the sky where adventure lingered around every cloud. This 360 degree experience was over some of the most beautiful scenery in America, and the aggressive maneuvers provided the most adrenaline-filled rush of my life.

As I climbed the ladder and slid down into the deep, open cockpit, I had no idea what to expect. I’d been in an airplane and a helicopter but the open cockpit was a totally new experience; it was like driving in a convertible in the sky. There were harnesses, a selection of handle grips, and a dashboard filled with gauges showing altitude, air-speed, and G-force. Mike, the exceptionally skilled pilot, climbed into the cockpit behind me leaving me to the wide-open view of SoCal.

Take-off put the wind in my face and the clouds within reach. Before I even realized we were off the ground, Mike had us at a 90 degree angle. My back slid comfortably against the seat and I knew we weren’t going to have a relaxing flight. No, Mike had something else in store for me.

I watched the city turn into a maze of streets an the Pacific ocean was quickly under us. The massive mansions of Palos Verdes turn into specs as we rose above the clouds. The beauty was overwhelming and I almost forgot what was about to happen. Regardless, there is nothing that can prepare you for the sensation of four times the normal G-force pushing your body into something weighing 360 kilograms then pulling you away and toward the ocean below.

With wing overs, barrel rolls, loops, spins, and a hammerhead, my mouth was agape and my heart was pounding. Filled with adrenaline, I took a deep breath and reveled in the greatness of excitement and biplane fun.

Most bi-plane rides are tailored to the individual rider and Mike knew that I would never say uncle. As we twisted, turned, and fell out of the sky, I screamed with excitement and joy. After years of trying every extreme adventure that was possible, including skydiving, bungee jumping, paragliding, para-sailing, base jumping, and whitewater rafting, I found the most memorable and extreme excitement in Biplane Fun.

61 thoughts on “A Roller Coaster in the Sky – Biplane Fun”

      • No way! I admire you and those who can fly in biplanes and to be that adventurous. I was more adventurous when I was younger. Now not so much. I would have wet my pants. No longer that brave or daring. 🙂 I will live vicariously through you. 🙂

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  17. WOW, that adventure was amazing. I’d love to do that, just not at the angles that you did. I would say uncle. I admire your adventurous nature! I feel honored that you liked my site. I’m grounded!

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  18. Loved this post!! The pictures were great and your description of the ride thrilling. My husband and I have both always wanted to take a bi-plane ride. (His ride would likely be full of the barrel rolls, loops, and spins you described and mine would be more graceful turns and wind-in-your-hair). But the whole idea of riding in a flying convertible in the sky… well, that sounds pretty amazing to me!

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  19. My wife and I flew in a biplane over the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington state several years ago. The smiles have yet to wear off our faces! Great fun! Did you know they lift-off at 54 mph?

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  21. Pingback: SoCal BiPlane Rides cruise the South Bay | Redondo Beach through the Lens

  22. That looks like so much fun! My father is a private pilot so I’ve been in plenty of smaller planes but never an open cockpit bi-plane. I’d love to try it!

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  25. Pingback: 2012 Bucket List – Adventure Awaits! | Bucket List Publications

  28. What an amazing experience! I’m sure that those on the ground watching must have had a major adrenaline rush as you did all those maneuvers. Good for you Lesley!! You are amazing!

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  29. Have done those maneuvers, great adrenalin rush. I flew the plane myself (instructor by my side) loved the hell out of it. Ran out of money before I got my pilots licence. (should put that on my bucket list)

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  30. Ah now then I must deviate somewhat here and explain why this form of travel is not high on my wifes list 🙂 We visited Las Vegas and booked a sigh seeing flight over the Grand Canyon, now when we booked the photo was of a 16 seater jet type plane, fine. Come the day we were picked up by limo and taken to McCarran airport for our trip. There was 16 of us so my wife and I were looking for the jet from the picture.

    What we actually saw was a row of planes, not biplanes, but single winged relics that had seen better days. If the day had started badly for my wife they got worse, as the cabin door stuck and only a heavy pull by the pilot got it open. So step inside and I am sat behind the pilot, my wife to his right and she is gesturing at me to look over the pilots shoulder. I couldn’t but settled down for our flight, oh boy.

    We were warned about ‘thermals’ but actually experiencing what was actually meant was another thing altogether as every time went went over mountainous terrain the aircraft would bob up and down like a yo yo. For me, I was taking pictures at this point, not a problem, but my wife was terrified. Back on terra firma she explained to me what she had been trying to tell me at take off. The pilot had an instruction book open on how to fly the thing …….. 🙂

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  40. Pingback: I’ve Found My Utopia – It’s in a Biplane in the Sky | Bucket List Publications

  41. Pingback: The Best Bucket List Adventures of The Best Bucket List Bloggers | Life Listed

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